So...take away all the belts. Keep the pats on the back and the aknowledgments for doing something well (that is part of good instruction)...what's the difference in the belt except to state the obvious, that you are at the level you are at?

It is obvious that the belt system does motivate students. I wish it meant something to me...because it's harder to do something when the real rewards are so intangible. I was in a big rush at one point, to learn as much and do as much as possible...and belts are a visible way to measure that. Then my teacher said, 'What's the rush...you've got a lifetime.' Took the steam right out of me. When one's progress has no end, belts are too static to sustain one's motivation.

Quote:Testings and the feedback I get from them help me to have a better understanding of what I need to work on. Rank takes a whole pile of my instructors "good jobs" and bundles them into one package. It helps me to see that I am making progress even though I may not be able to see it myself.

Now adays when I'm working on my form or my combinations(steps), I get either negative feedback or no feedback most of the time; sometimes I get positive, but it's usually reserved for the lower belts. If I get no feedback, I know I'm at an acceptable or better performance level; If it's negative, I'm also told what I need to work on. Average-wise, I'm normally an 8.5-9.0 out of 10. He'll pass people on a belt grading with acceptable, but by the time they hit the Black Belt test, they'll need to be doing much better. Of course, where I'm at, the belt indicates what you should know, not what you do or don't, and that by Black, you should know it all.

_________________________
Brown Belt. Should have my Black by Summer 2008.
Jhoon Rhee system

Belts are fine in a school/organization as they are understood what they represent. Outside of that school/organization they mean nothing as long as that is remembered. I think education to the general masses is the most important thing. A black belt, while it is a good goal, is different in each system and does not mean the people are killers or could defend themselves out of a wet paper bag. Educate people so they understand this and then we could all go in peace.

_________________________"IF I COME ... I'M BRINGING THE PAIN WITH ME"

I will be testing for my black belt in less than two months. What value should I place on it. Which is more important?

1) the hundreds of hours I've put into my training

2) The skills that I've learned and can demonstrate.

3) getting to learn three new patterns.

4) As a motivational tool. The accomplishment of a goal.

5) because the actual belt was a gift from my cousin.

6) it holds my dobok closed.

If you don't see any value in a belt, then that is your opinion. I started the MA in a system that uses belts. I understand their purpose and value in my school. If my instructor were to suddenly say we were no longer using belts, I would still value each and every belt I had been presented with, because they have meaning to me.

Frankly, if he decided to do so tomorrow, I would be very upset having lost the ability to accomplish a goal I set out to earn a long time ago.

Quote: Thats one of the big reasons that rank is often just measured by the length of time you've been actively training. Someone with 25 years of experience should have more knowledge than someone with 15.

Quote: Thats one of the big reasons that rank is often just measured by the length of time you've been actively training. Someone with 25 years of experience should have more knowledge than someone with 15.